PHOTO: What Did Jennifer Lawrence Look Like in Eighth Grade?

Jennifer Lawrence (Seth Poppel/Kevin Winter Yearbook Library/Getty Images)Jennifer Lawrence is definitely a star on the rise but, eight years ago, the only thing on the rise was her hair!

The Oscar-nominated actress was a gawky teenager just like the rest of us and she had a really unfortunate hairdo to boot. Snakkle.com scored a photo of the then-eighth grader where she’s the proud owner of a bad perm and a blue and gold paw print school sweatshirt.

Luckily, unlike most middle schoolers, it looks like Lawrence managed to skip the braces phase, since the one thing that hasn’t changed about the “The Hunger Games” star’s look is her stellar smile.

"I was a teenager too — hard to believe, right?" Lawrence told the LA Times last week.

She’s got a point. And since People magazine dubbed her one of the “Most Beautiful People in 2012,” it’s safe to say her “awkward stage” is just a distant memory. Besides, she’s made it clear that when it comes to her body, she could care less what people think. “I eat like a caveman, I’ll be the only actress who doesn’t have anorexia rumors," Lawrence told Elle in 2012. “In Hollywood, I’m obese. I’m considered a fat actress, I’m Val Kilmer in that one picture on the beach.”

We beg to differ.

More important than her teenage style, however, is her quick climb to Hollywood fame over a mere three years. Her breakout role in “Winter’s Bone” scored the starlet her first Oscar nomination as well as the attention of the masses. The Kentucky native has continued to wow us with her acting chops, most recently nabbing an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of a young widow in “Silver Linings Playbook.”

Hopefully, just like her middle school ‘do, Lawrence’s star status will continue to grow.

AWARDS MINUTE: Jennifer Lawrence’s awards show styleIf there's one leading lady we're excited to see on the red carpet, it's Jennifer Lawrence, who's turning out to be the darling of the 2013 award season! As the “Silver Linings Playbook” star continues to take home trophies, she’s also winning us over with her sizzling style. We can’t wait to see what she wears on Hollywood’s biggest night! Check out the vid to see Lawrence’s top awards show looks!